Nearly 100 interns take up paid training this summer

7 Aug 20142014-08-07T11:07:00+02:00

For the second summer running, nearly 100 undergraduates and recent graduates are taking up paid internships at BAE Systems in the UK.

Over a 12-week period, the 94 interns will be paid £4,200 during their work placement (£16,800 per annum pro rata), as well as receiving an externally recognised certificate from EAL (Excellence, Achievement & Learning), the industry specialist awarding organisation, which is part of the Semta Group. BAE Systems and Semta will offer the interns programme again in 2015.

In total 94 interns have places with BAE Systems working at one of eight different business units in a variety of roles ranging from engineering to business development to procurement. Thirty-four have joined the Applied Intelligence business working in London, Gloucester, Gloucestershire or Guildford in Surrey. Twenty-three are with the Military Air and Information business, most of whom are based in Warton, Lancashire and 11 are working within the Submarines in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

An additional 10 people have joined the Naval Ships business at Filton, Bristol, Frimley, Surrey or Glasgow and a further eight have joined the Maritime Services business most of who are based in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Three students are working in Combat Vehicles UK in Telford, Shropshire and the remaining five interns are based in Head Office and Shared Services business in various locations across England and Scotland.

The internship scheme has been created in partnership with skills body Semta, the employer-led body responsible for equipping the UK’s vital engineering, science and manufacturing technologies sectors with the skills to compete on the global stage.

Ross Godbolt, a 21 year old student studying Aerospace Engineering at Leeds University is on a placement at the Military Air and Information business in Warton. He said: “I’ve had the chance to meet, work with, and learn from a wide selection of interesting people, all with in-depth knowledge and experience. So far I’ve had the opportunity to see operations on the Typhoon jet final assembly line at Warton and the production and assembly line of the F-35 at Samlesbury.

“I’m developing a much higher level of understanding and knowledge of a good private industry – this is something that cannot be fully taught at college or university. This experience will give me a much greater chance of employment in the future across a range of businesses.

“Additionally, the BAE Systems internship offers the opportunity of being fast tracked through the initial recruitment stages when applying for the BAE Systems Graduate Development Framework - if I achieve an ‘outstanding’ final review.

“The internship is a fantastic opportunity to gain vital industry experience and I’d recommend it to any student”.

Judith Chapman, Head of Human Resources at Semta, said: “We are delighted to be working with BAE Systems on this excellent initiative promoting opportunities within the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector and playing a part in ensuring the long term supply of professional people within the industry.

Ayesha Godigamuwe, HR Manager – Graduate Programmes at BAE Systems said: “As well as providing an invaluable opportunity to get paid to learn and develop core skills, the internship offers the possibility of employment with BAE Systems after completion. Individuals who demonstrate outstanding performance on the internship will not have to complete all the stages of the graduate recruitment process should they wish to join us, and I certainly hope that by enabling our interns to have an insight in to the inspiring work that we do, that many will seize this opportunity. ”

For more information on BAE Systems’ wider graduate programmes and how to apply please visit www.baesystems.com/graduates. The application process for opportunities in 2015 including 100 intern placements will open in September.For more information, please contact:Ian Cubbon, Mischief PR Tel: +44 (0) 7741 249424 ian.cubbon@mischiefpr.com